AFL fans across the Northern Territory can look forward to an exciting 2025 season, with the Gold Coast SUNS and Melbourne Football Club bringing their star power to Darwin and Alice Springs for three high-profile matches.
In 2025, the Gold Coast SUNS will once again headline two exciting games in Darwin. The first match will see the SUNS take on Western Bulldogs at TIO Stadium on Saturday, 10 May 2025.
The second game will take place at TIO Stadium on Thursday, 15 May 2025, as part of the highly anticipated Sir Doug Nicholls Round. This round celebrates the contributions of Indigenous players to the game and draws passionate support from the Northern Territory, a region that has produced some of AFL’s most skilled and revered Indigenous stars. The SUNS will face off against Hawthorn in what promises to be a spectacular clash.
For the second consecutive year, BASSINTHEGRASS, the Territory’s leading music festival, will take place on Saturday, 17 May 2025, just two days after the second SUNS game, at the iconic Mindil Beach. This timing gives footy fans another fantastic reason to head to Darwin, offering a week packed with an unforgettable mix of football action and live music for both locals and visitors.
In Central Australia, the Melbourne Football Club will return to Alice Springs for their annual Heart of the Nation match at TIO Traeger Park on Sunday, 1 June 2025. The Demons will play St Kilda, continuing their long-standing relationship with the Red Centre community. The club is set to immerse themselves in local culture and strengthen their connection to the region.
The three AFL games will also give fans the opportunity to meet their AFL heroes, with a series of community events throughout the week designed to strengthen the connection between local supporters and their favourite teams.
These games are made possible through the support of Northern Territory Major Events Company, as part of the Northern Territory Government’s ongoing commitment to bringing world-class sporting events to the region. 2024 marks the second year of a three-year agreement, ensuring two Gold Coast Suns games in Darwin each season through to 2026, while the Melbourne Football Club will also play a match in the Red Centre every year.
In 2024, the three AFL games in the Territory were responsible for generating a total expenditure stimulus in the Northern Territory of $16.3 million and producing a total of 55,634 visitor nights in the Territory.
To find out when tickets for the Territory AFL games go on sale, follow Northern Territory Major Events Company on Facebook at or sign up to NTMEC mailing list for all the latest information, including the BASSINTHEGRASS line-up drop: ntmajorevents.com.au
Quotes from Northern Territory Major Events Company Acting CEO Trevor Cox:
“We’re proud to provide AFL fans in the Northern Territory the exciting opportunity to watch three AFL games – two in Darwin and one in Alice Springs.
“It’s even more special with both the Gold Coast SUNS and Melbourne Demons showcasing incredible Territory talent, making this a memorable experience for local supporters.
“Partnering with elite sporting clubs not only brings top-flight sport to the region, but it also has a positive impact on the community. It boosts social engagement, with fans coming together to see their heroes, and contributes to the local economy as people visit bars, restaurants, and other venues.”
Quotes from Head of AFL Northern Territory Sam Gibson:
“We are thrilled to once again host the Gold Coast SUNS and Melbourne Football Club in 2025 here in the Territory. These matches continue to build the Northern Territory’s strong connection to AFL, and we’re excited to provide more opportunities for fans to experience top-tier footy.
“The AFL’s deep ties to the Territory continue inspire the next generation of footy players and engage the community in ways that go beyond the game itself.”
